Almost 16,000 smoke cannabis every day, says report

ALMOST 16,000 people smoke cannabis daily, according to figures published yesterday.

A major report on cannabis said heavy and regular users of the drug were at risk of mental illness and respiratory cancer.

Statistics published by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) showed 0.6% of those aged 15 to 64-years-old, equivalent to around 15,560 people, smoked cannabis every day. “Cannabis may not be the most dangerous drug, but it is a harmful drug, particularly for young people and heavy users,” said Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, Noel Ahern, launching the report.

The NACD report, entitled An Overview of Scientific and Other Information on Cannabis, found:

A strong link between cannabis use and schizophrenia, particularly among vulnerable individuals;

People with depression were more likely to be heavy users of cannabis.

Cannabis deposited four times as much tar on lungs as tobacco and could, if used regularly, cause cancer.

Frequent users (more than once a week) ran a risk of dependence.

Heavy use could have subtle effects on memory, attention and organisation of complex information.

A strong link between early regular cannabis use and poor educational performance.

NACD chairman Dr Des Corrigan said the “vast majority” of people who had taken cannabis did not become regular users.

A NACD survey published earlier this year showed almost 18% of 15 to 64-year-olds had taken cannabis at some stage in their lives - equivalent to around 460,000 people.

This dropped to less than 3% for those who had taken it within the previous month. Dr Corrigan said the survey showed a fifth of these were daily users.

He said the study was an overview of international and domestic literature on cannabis and did not entail any new research on cannabis users in Ireland. He said this was a major gap that needed to be filled.

Report co-author Dr Claire Collins said cannabis was a “gateway” to other drugs, although the link was not direct.

She said there was “strong statistical evidence” of cannabis use and subsequent use of illicit drugs. However, she added: “Many young people who experiment with cannabis don’t progress to heavy use of cannabis or other substances.”

The number of people outside Dublin seeking treatment for cannabis use jumped from 392 in 1998 to 1,328 in 2002.

Dr Corrigan said the strength of cannabis needed to be monitored, given it had more than doubled in the 20 years to 2000.

Mr Ahern said he would not be asking the NACD to investigate legal options in relation to cannabis.